Magical & Hidden Cusco
Uncover Cusco beyond its monuments, exploring legends, hidden streets and Inca-era stories before ending with traditional dishes and chicha at a classic picantería—an intimate look at the city’s living history.
Area
Cuzco Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu
Type
Community & Culture
History
Who
Adults
Teens
Young Kids
Difficulty
Leisurely
Duration
Half Day
Cusco is celebrated for its baroque churches, Inca walls and terracotta rooftops, yet its greatest beauty lies in the stories woven through its streets. As the former heart of an empire, the city safeguards tales of love, betrayal, myth and mystery—narratives that exist somewhere between history and legend.
This experience explores emblematic squares, finely preserved Inca buildings and narrow lanes with evocative names such as Seven Snakes, Rainbow and Purgatory. The journey concludes at a traditional picantería, where classic popular dishes are served alongside chicha, offering a taste of everyday Cusco.
Far removed from a conventional city tour, this is an intimate introduction to Cusco’s living history, revealing the human stories that have shaped the city from Inca times through the republican era.
Recommended Hotels Nearby
A selection of luxury hotel options in the area, handpicked and recommended by our travel specialists.
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View AccommodationExplora Valle Sagrado
Discover Explora Valle Sagrado, a luxury lodge set in Peru’s Sacred Valley, offering immersive excursions, contemporary comfort, and curated Andean experiences for discerning travelers seeking adventure and exclusivity.
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View AccommodationJW Marriott El Convento Cusco
JW Marriott El Convento Cusco — a restored 16th-century convent beside the Plaza de Armas — blends colonial grandeur, 153 oxygen-enriched rooms, a spa, curated Inca-era artefacts and gateway access to the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
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View AccommodationCasa Clara
A quietly restored 18th-century colonial mansion on the Plaza Nazarenas in Cusco — Casa Clara offers a curated blend of heritage architecture, boutique intimacy, refined comfort and effortless access to the city’s historic heart.
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View AccommodationTambo Del Inka Resort & Spa
A luxury retreat in Peru’s Sacred Valley, Tambo del Inka offers elegant rooms, exceptional spa facilities and refined local cuisine, set beside the Urubamba River and perfectly placed for exploring Machu Picchu and the Andes.
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View AccommodationRio Sagrado, A Belmond Hotel
Nestled along the Urubamba River in Peru’s Sacred Valley, Rio Sagrado offers contemporary luxury, serene riverfront views, and immersive Andean experiences.
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View AccommodationMonasterio, A Belmond Hotel
Belmond Monasterio — former 16th-century monastery turned refined hotel at the heart of Cusco — offers 117 historic rooms, a cloistered courtyard under a 300-year-old cedar, colonial-chapel splendour and effortless access to the city’s soul.
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View AccommodationHotel Sol y Luna
Set amidst the Sacred Valley’s rolling hills, Hotel Sol y Luna blends Andean heritage with contemporary luxury, offering a serene retreat.
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View AccommodationPalacio Nazarenas, A Belmond Hotel
A former Incan palace transformed into Cusco’s most exclusive sanctuary, Palacio Nazarenas blends timeless heritage with contemporary luxury—an intimate retreat curated to perfection.
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View AccommodationInkaterra La Casona
A 16th-century colonial manor turned 11-suite Relais & Châteaux hideaway. In the heart of historic Cusco, Inkaterra La Casona delivers old-world grandeur, heated marble-bath suites, intimate dining and soothing spa rituals.
More Experiences in This Area
Discover more things to do in the area and chat to our specialists about crafting these experiences into your tailor-made holiday.
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View ExperienceVisit the potato fields of Manuel Choqque
Step into the Peruvian highlands to meet Manuel Choqque, the visionary agronomist behind 300+ rare potatoes. Explore his mountain farm, taste vivid heirloom varieties, Oxalis wine and fiery uchucuta—ingredients coveted by the world’s greatest chefs.
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View ExperienceMountain Lodges of Peru
A lodge-to-lodge trek through Peru’s Andes, combining remote mountain trails, authentic cultural encounters and comfortable high-altitude lodges, culminating in a rewarding arrival at Machu Picchu with depth, context and understated comfort.
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View ExperienceCooking Class with tour to San Pedro Market
Discover Peru’s flavors with a guided visit to San Pedro Market, followed by a hands-on cooking class at Rooftop Kitchen Peru. Prepare a three-course Peruvian fusion menu and pisco sour while enjoying panoramic views over Cusco.
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View ExperienceUrubamba White-Water Rafting
An exhilarating and unique way to soak up the breath-taking landscapes and bountiful river of the Sacred Valley, with a dose of adrenaline to get things going.
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View ExperienceMountain Biking at Sol y Luna
Half-day e-biking in the Sacred Valley, exploring rural villages, farmland and mountain scenery. Choose gentle village routes, a scenic downhill from Misminay, or a cycle paired with a local brewery visit.
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View ExperienceChinchero, Maras & Moray (optional hike)
Lose yourself in a fascinating private guided tour to the local village of Chinchero renowned for its archaeological site and colorful market (best on Sunday), the Inca terraces of Moray and the astounding salt pans of Maras.
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View ExperienceAndean Textiles Tour
Peru's brightly colored textiles are iconic and can be seen throughout the country, each region boasting its own distinctive style. Pay a visit to the Sulca family Textile Gallery and admire the skills of this generations old art form.
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View ExperienceCusco Walking Tour - Half Day
Explore the magical city of Cusco on foot with a local guide taking in the rich ambience and key highlights of this fascinating city. The half day tour will take you to the Bohemian quarter, the main square and cathedral along to Mercado de San Pedro.
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View ExperienceMaras, Moray and Ollantaytambo with picnic lunch
A full-day Sacred Valley tour visiting Moray’s circular terraces, the striking Maras Salt Pans and the fortress town of Ollantaytambo. Includes a scenic picnic lunch and insight into Incan engineering and history.
Call us on 858 345 1763 to start planning